BlockchainBlockchain is no longer the most desirable job in the technology industry, according to a new report by the job site, Hired. Blockchain’s out, and virtual reality’s in.
Job demand for augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) engineers increased by 1,400% in 2019. In comparison, the demand for blockchain engineers increased by just 9 percent—far lower than the 517% rise it saw in 2018.
Blockchain needs to face virtual reality
While the blockchain sector grew rapidly in 2018, fuelled by the late-2017, early-2018 bull run, crypto prices stagnated across the board and many companies were forced to let staff go. However, without facing the same kind of difficulties, AR/VR has been able to flourish.
“We see the growth in AR/VR demand as a direct reflection of the technology itself coming of age for a broader swathe of business outside of gaming,” wrote Hired. “From beauty companies like Sephora to furniture retailers like Wayfair, many different types of companies are embracing the capabilities of these world building and enhancing technologies.”
Hired’s findings clash with those from another site for professionals, LinkedIn. In a report released last month, LinkedIn found that blockchain is the top hard skill that employers in the US, the UK, France, Germany, and Australia are looking for in 2020. And job postings for blockchain roles increased by 26% in 2019.
Blockchain is most in demand hard skill for 2020, says LinkedIn
Blockchain tops the list of hard skills employers are looking for in 2020, according to a report by jobs site LinkedIn, published last week. The report places blockchain skills ahead of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and scientific computing for employers in the US, the UK, France, Germany, and Australia—despite it not appearing on LinkedIn’s list for 2019. A solution in search of problems? LinkedIn sounds a note of caution to would-be blockchain hires, calling the technology “a busi...
The different figures could be due to the different datasets: LinkedIn and Hired likely attract slightly different employers onto their sites.
But the good news for blockchain developers is that they still make top dollar. According to Hired’s report, they are earning $162,000 per year in 2020. Perhaps they don’t need a bull market after all.
